Fire destroys patrolman’s vehicle

PEMBROKE — A Highway Patrol trooper lost his ride Friday morning when it caught fire and was destroyed.

Sgt. J.L. Morton said the 2015 Dodge Charger, which had about 30,000 miles on it, caught fire after Trooper Kyle Covington left it to pursue a stolen-vehicle suspect. It is believed that some underbrush ignited, catching the vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road, on fire.

Morton said Covington saw a vehicle shortly after 8 a.m. that he believed had been reported stolen in Wilkes County. The vehicle apparently had a tracking device on it, and the local Highway Patrol was told it might be in the area.

Morton said Covington saw it in the Pembroke area. The vehicle sped away and wrecked in a ditch near Union Chapel Road. The driver exited the vehicle and ran into nearby woods.

Covington got out and was preparing to pursue the suspect when he noticed his vehicle had caught on fire. Covington was not injured.